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Topic: Washington State to Arizona (Read 835 times)

So we are driving from Wash State to the Phoenix area in a few weeks and being winter time was wondering which route would be the best. I5 down through California or 93 through Nevada. Google maps say only about an hour difference. Tia

I-5 is a major Interstate artery. The major snow areas are the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon/Northern California (including Siskiyou Pass) and maybe the Tehachapi Mountains in Southern CA. The rest of the way through California it's close to sea level and snow free.

The heavy traffic alone on I-5 helps keep the roadway clear. If it does need closure due to an active snowstorm it's usually only for a day or less.

US 93 is a more lightly traveled highway, and it's at a higher elevation than most of I-5.

Note that Oregon chain law requires you to carry chains for the rear axle of your tow vehicle and one trailer axle in snow areas. This applies to both I-5 and US 93.

Like Tom said, let the weather determine which way you go. In any event, don't be afraid to stop for a day or two if needed until the conditions improve.

Assuming you are using I 5, your choice of route will depend on the day of the week you hit LA. If you hit LA on the weekend, then I5 to I 210 to HW 57 to I 10 to Phoenix is a great route. If you hit LA on a week day, I would go I 5 to CA 58 through Bakersfield and Mohave to Barstow. Then I40 to Flagstaff to I17 to Phoenix, or if the weather is bad HW 95 from Needles to I 10 to Phoenix. Going through Sacramento at rush hour is going be a pain, but doable. Going through LA or Bakersfield is about the same driving time unless you hit rush hour in LA. In that case, LA is much slower. BYW, the weather in Phoenix is great right now.